How to break out from the re-learning cycle

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"Embarking on a journey to master the art of powder brows and hairstrokes is more than just learning techniques; it demands an understanding of the interconnected realms of chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. Artists often find themselves in a relentless cycle of "re-learning," replacing their current understanding with supposedly advanced truths. This pursuit of simplified knowledge opens the door for certain trainers, sometimes called "one-eyed queens," to repackage familiar concepts as groundbreaking revelations. It can be hard to navigate that terrain without a solid grasp of these four key areas. This article aims to explain it."

1. Background

This article's insights come from in-depth interviews with 33 experienced artists and trainers, mainly from EU countries, four from the UK, and three from the US. Additionally, the content has been reviewed by two dermatologists, an expert in cellular biology, and a chemist to ensure a comprehensive and accurate perspective. The goal is to guide novice and seasoned artists in the complex field of semi-permanent pigmentation, focusing especially on powder brows and hairstrokes. This article combines practical experience with scientific expertise to present a well-rounded view of the subject.

The Problem

In powder brows and hairstrokes, artists often face the challenge of a superficial understanding of pigmentation. This limited insight leads them to grasp new ideas, considering each one as the ultimate truth in a vast field of knowledge. As a result, artists may quickly adopt new concepts without a solid foundational understanding, making them susceptible to shifting trends and theories.

However, a transformation occurs as artists delve deeper into their craft and expand their knowledge. Their confidence grows, not from external validation but their depth of understanding and practical experience. This profound knowledge allows them to critically evaluate new information and place it within the broader context of their expertise.

With a solid grounding in pigmentation principles, artists develop a nuanced perspective. They become skilled at discerning valuable insights from fleeting trends. This mature understanding renders them less prone to being unduly influenced by unproven concepts. Instead, they learn to integrate new information into their existing knowledge base, continuously refining their practice while staying true to the core principles of their art. Let's explore this further with some examples.

2. Four realms of knowledge

In the specialized field of powder brows and hairstrokes, a comprehensive understanding encompasses four distinct realms: chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. Each offers a unique perspective that enriches our approach to pigmentation.

Chemistry in pigmentation

Chemistry is fundamental to powder brows and hairstrokes. It sheds light on every aspect of the pigmentation process, from the composition of pigments to their behavior in the skin. This includes analyzing pigments' organic or inorganic nature, their solubles, binders, and additives, and how these interact with skin enzymes. The domain of chemistry covers all molecular reactions involved in pigment fusion and the life cycle of pigment particles. Understanding changes in brow color due to chemical reactions or alterations in particle bonds is critical. This knowledge also extends to methods like laser removal or saline treatments deeply rooted in chemical principles.

Physics and pigmentation

Physics explains the mechanics of creating skin openings and introducing pigment particles. The interplay of light waves with these particles results in the color we perceive. Delving into the size of pigments and their interaction with light helps understand phenomena like Mie and Rayleigh scattering. Physics also explains why we might see blue hues in brows and how lightfastness properties of particles, including the role of components like TiO2, contribute to the Tyndall effect. Even the implantation process, encompassing needle angle, pressure, cartridge selection, and hand movement, can be analyzed through physics.

Biology in Pigmentation

Biology acknowledges that we are working with a living body. Pigmentation involves a biological interaction with skin proteins and processes like phagocytosis, where cells engulf pigment particles. Understanding collagen formation, the body's immune response, and the healing process is vital. Knowledge of skin types, layers, and anatomical features related to brow mapping is also crucial in understanding pigment retention, removal, and migration.

Psychology of Pigmentation

Psychology is crucial in the pigmentation process. The client's reaction often reflects the artist's behavior and confidence. Empirical evidence suggests that personable artists often receive more repeat business. The aspects of sales and marketing in this field are influenced by an artist's ability to attract attention. Artists who garner more attention can often outpace more talented ones who lack prowess in digital and social media, highlighting the impact of psychology on both the client experience and the artist's success.

Interdisciplinary Complexity in Powder Brows and Hairstrokes

The complexity of powder brows and hairstrokes can be fully appreciated only when these fields are considered together. A single action in pigment implantation might involve chemical reactions, physical mechanics, biological responses, and psychological elements. Lacking a holistic and robust foundation in each domain can lead to a distorted perception of the procedure, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of these four realms.

3. The phenomenon of “Relearning”

Artists in the brow business often find themselves in a cycle of constant "relearning." However, this cycle often stems from an incomplete understanding rather than a constructive growth process. This need for relearning is frequently triggered by introducing new explanations about various aspects of the procedure, such as pigment consistency, skin reactions, and implantation strategies. Less experienced artists might perceive these explanations as novel because they can't place them within the established chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology frameworks.

Analyzing the “Relearning” Process "

Relearning" typically involves discarding what was previously known and embracing new information. This approach can lead to cognitive dissonance as it requires holding contradictory beliefs simultaneously. In powder brows and hairstrokes, an artist might accept new information as correct while understanding that this knowledge is likely temporary and subject to change when "a new trainer comes to town."

Stability of Core Knowledge

Unlike the ever-changing trends in fashion and style, the foundational principles of powder brows, hair strokes, and other pigmentation procedures are deeply rooted in the stable and longstanding scientific disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. While the application techniques and style preferences may evolve, the underlying scientific truths have remained relatively constant for decades, if not centuries.

Therefore, it's essential to view the “relearning” phenomenon skeptically, especially when confronted with claims of revolutionary new methods. Often, what is presented as "new" is merely a repackaged version of established knowledge designed to appear innovative for marketing purposes. True advancement in the field is less about discarding old knowledge and more about building upon a solid foundation of scientific understanding.

4. Perpetual search for “Newness”

Artists in the brow business often pursue the next "big thing" that promises to revolutionize their craft. This desire for novelty is frequently catered to by traveling trainers who know that to attract and retain attention, they must present something perceived as radically new. However, these supposedly groundbreaking techniques often fall into well-trodden categories: new pigment formulations, innovative methods of pigment mixing, various additives like boosters or toners, advanced brow shapes and mapping techniques, unique application methods, or novel healing recommendations.

The Reality of Technical Novelty

When it comes to the technical aspects of powder brows, hairstrokes and pigmentation in general, the room for truly groundbreaking novelty, especially in terms of chemistry, physics, and biology, is somewhat limited. While there might occasionally be new filling styles or mapping techniques, these are often more about the psychology of marketing and less about significant technical advancements in the procedure itself.

The "One-Eyed Queen" Phenomenon

In this context of seemingly endless innovation, how do trainers continually surprise and engage even seasoned artists? This situation is akin to the saying, "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." Trainers succeed by positioning themselves as more knowledgeable than their students. In a field as complex as semi-permanent makeup, where understanding spans across chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology, it's easy for students to overestimate the depth of their trainer's knowledge. The knowledge gap might often be minimal, but even a slight advantage can make trainers seem like invaluable sources of wisdom.

The Sunken Cost Fallacy

The cycle of "re-learning" is further reinforced by what's known as the sunk cost fallacy. Students who have invested heavily in training often expect to discover some secret or revolutionary technique that will significantly elevate their skills above the competition. This expectation can be so strong that even repackaged, conventional wisdom is embraced as innovative and superior. Students, partly due to the psychological need to justify their investment, might attribute any improvement in their skills to these supposedly revolutionary techniques despite them being variations of standard practices.

Thus while the allure of something new and the promise of revolutionary techniques are enticing, they often obscure that true advancements in the scientific understanding of powder brows and hairstrokes are incremental and evolutionary. Recognizing the difference between genuinely new knowledge and cleverly repackaged conventional wisdom is crucial for artists who wish to deepen their skills and understanding without falling prey to the perpetual cycle of "re-learning."

5. Escaping the Re-learning cycle

The way out of the perpetual 're-learning' cycle for artists, particularly those specializing in powder brows and hairstrokes, lies in establishing a robust personal framework grounded in the core disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. This in-depth understanding is crucial for navigating the intricacies of pigmentation and semi-permanent makeup procedures. To embark on this journey, a systematic approach to learning is necessary. One invaluable resource is the extensive content available on powderbrows.com, which offers over a thousand pages dedicated to enhancing knowledge in these critical areas.

The Beginner's Dilemma

For beginners, the initial focus is often on acquiring just enough knowledge to perform the service safely and effectively. This basic level of understanding covers essential aspects without delving into the more complex nuances of the procedure. While this foundational knowledge is vital, it often falls short of what's required to excel in a competitive professional environment. Despite this, many artists present themselves as knowledgeable by parroting insights from training sessions or referencing materials they've read.

The Journey to Professional Excellence

However, the journey is far more challenging and involved for those aiming to become true experts in the field. Beyond the basics, advancing professionally means embracing a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the art. It requires recognizing that the realms of chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology are not just academic subjects but critical tools for understanding the complex nature of pigmentation.

The Organic vs. Inorganic Pigment Debate

A prime example of the complexities in this field is the debate between organic and inorganic pigments. Each side presents compelling arguments supported by facts. Advocates for organic pigments might emphasize their suitability for various skin types, better color retention, and lower scarring risk. On the other hand, proponents of inorganic pigments often tout their ease of removal and reduced risk of undesirable color changes. Navigating these debates requires more than surface-level knowledge; it demands a deep, holistic understanding and the ability to analyze and integrate new information critically.

Building a Personal Map of Meanings

To truly excel and step out of the cycle of 're-learning,' artists must dedicate themselves to building a personal 'map of meanings.' This map is a comprehensive understanding that allows them to navigate the often conflicting information and commercial interests in the field. This journey is not about finding easy solutions or shortcuts; it's about rigorous study, application, and a commitment to ongoing learning.

Escaping the re-learning cycle and achieving professional excellence in powder brows and hairstrokes requires a deep and holistic understanding of the underlying principles of pigmentation. It's a path that demands dedication, critical thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning. Through this approach, artists can rise above the cycle of re-learning and establish themselves as true experts in their craft.

6. Conclusions

The complex world of powder brows and hairstrokes is underpinned by a multifaceted understanding of chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. The interplay of these disciplines provides a rich tapestry of knowledge, offering various ways to interpret and explain the processes involved in pigmentation. However, this depth often leads artists into a cycle of 're-learning,' where the allure of supposedly novel information continually sways them. This cycle is driven by the desire for simplified understanding and the attraction to revolutionary concepts, often repackaged insights of established scientific principles.

The industry has seen the rise of "one-eyed queens" - trainers who traverse the landscape, presenting complex or slightly modified knowledge as brand-new breakthroughs. Whether these trainers intentionally complicate matters to appear more knowledgeable or genuinely believe in their novel insights, they contribute to the ongoing cycle of 're-learning.' The knowledge gap between trainers and students perpetuates this cycle, as even a slight edge in knowledge can position trainers as experts in the eyes of their students.

Breaking free from this cycle requires artists to build a contextual understanding grounded in the factual knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. This holistic approach is central to the Holistic PMU methodology. Artists aspiring to transcend the cycle of 're-learning' and attain a robust, comprehensive understanding of their craft are encouraged to explore the extensive resources available on powderbrows.com. This platform offers in-depth material that can serve as a foundation for developing the nuanced, critical understanding necessary to navigate the complex world of powder brows, hairstrokes, and pigmentation with confidence and expertise.